BLACKWATER - Northumberland & Northeast

Dive the *Blackwater* and you're stepping into history, a World War I wreck that's really come into its own as an artificial reef. Lying in a sheltered bay, the depth never pushes past 12m, which we love for a more relaxed exploration. We’ve had dives here where the visibility has been a solid 10m, with light shafts cutting through the water, illuminating the wreck’s skeletal remains. The wreck itself is well broken up, but you can still make out the bow and stern sections, perfect for weaving through. Inside the holds, you'll often find ling and conger eels peering out from shadowed corners, their eyes glinting in your torch beam. Look closely at the plating and girders; they're thick with plumose anemones, their feathery tentacles swaying with the gentle surge. It’s a site that really rewards a slow pace, letting you soak in the atmosphere and spot the smaller stuff – nudibranchs crawling along the rusty metal, or blennies darting into crevices. We'd suggest timing your dive for high slack water; it makes navigating the scattered debris much easier and the anemones are fully extended.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.418575, -4.609484
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Wreck History - BLACKWATER

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown

Lying in just 12 metres of water, the wreck known as the "Blackwater" is an accessible but mysterious dive site off the Northumberland coast. Very little is known about the vessel's history or how it came to rest on the seabed. Its official classification as a "dangerous wreck" suggests it is significantly broken up, potentially posing a hazard to navigation, which for divers translates to a scattered debris field of twisted metal and hull plates.

For the diver, the Blackwater offers an excellent opportunity for a shallow second dive or for those new to UK wreck diving. The shallow depth allows for long bottom times and ample ambient light on a clear day. Marine life has readily colonized the wreckage, with anemones, dead man's fingers, and various crustaceans hiding in the nooks and crannies. While its story may be lost to time, the Blackwater provides a fascinating and easy-to-explore underwater playground.

Marine Protected Area: The Skerries

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to BLACKWATER

Marine Life in Northumberland & Northeast

Home to 132 recorded species including 53 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 11 sharks & rays, 10 other, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species